Software component licensing: a primer

For developers to feel it worthwhile to invest in software components, both licensors and licensees must be fairly compensated for the time and resources invested in making and using such components. The authors suggest that properly framed software licensing agreements provide the vehicle for ensuring such compensation     

Efficient database access from Prolog

In designing the interface between a relational database and a Prolog interpreter, efficiency is a major issue. The authors present a method for loading into the memory-resident database of Prolog facts permanently stored in secondary storage. The rationale of the method is to save access to the database by never repeating the same query and by storing in main memory, in a compact and efficient way, information about the past interaction with the database. The authors discuss how to reduce subsumption rests required by the method to pattern matching in many relevant cases. They also describe a simulator of the method, which validates their approach, and they discuss the results of the simulation     

Mediators in the architecture of future information systems

For single databases, primary hindrances for end-user access are the volume of data that is becoming available, the lack of abstraction, and the need to understand the representation of the data. When information is combined from multiple databases, the major concern is the mismatch encountered in information representation and structure. Intelligent and active use of information requires a class of software modules that mediate between the workstation applications and the databases. It is shown that mediation simplifies, abstracts, reduces, merges, and explains data. A mediator is a software module that exploits encoded knowledge about certain sets or subsets of data to create information for a higher layer of applications. A model of information processing and information system components is described. The mediator architecture, including mediator interfaces, sharing of mediator modules, distribution of mediators, and triggers for knowledge maintenance, are discussed     

Cloning, distribution and functional expression of the human mGlu6 metabotropic glutamate receptor

The levels of biogenic amines and of a number of the products of their metabolism were studied in the hypothalamic nuclei in Wistar and August rats, which have different levels of resistance to emotional stress; levels were also studied in structures functionally and anatomically associated with the hypothalamic nuclei, i.e., the reticular formation of the midbrain, the amygdaloid body, the septum, the locus ceruleus, the dorsal cervical nucleus, and the ventral region of the tegmentum. The genotype was found to determine the level of metabolism of biogenic amines in structures of the central nervous system in conditions of emotional stress. In August rats, the activities of the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems, which are stress-limiting, decreased to a greater extent during 24-hour immobilization stress. Adrenaline levels in structures of the central nervous system in August rats were higher during stress. Changes in the contents of biogenic amines in the paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus in Wistar and August rats could affect the preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system.     

Geophysikalische Verfahren zur Erkundung und Charakterisierung von Grundwasserleitern in quartären Rinnen

Geophysical methods for the investigation and characterization of groundwater resources in porous media are shown using the subglacial Ellerbeker Rinne as an example. Five seismic sections illustrate the shape, internal structure and surrounding hydrostratigraphy of 25?km of this buried valley that, in some places, is more than 2?km wide. Data from the transient electromagnetic airborne survey reveal the distribution of electrical resistivity down to a depth of 300?m. The groundwater-saturated channel in the valley is clearly distinguishable from the Tertiary clays. A good and fast overview on the character of the confining beds down to 100?m depth was provided by the frequency-domain helicopter-borne electromagnetic method. A reliable interpretation was obtained by combining the different methods with borehole information and expert geological knowledge.     

The treatment of fear of flying: a controlled study of imaginal and virtual reality graded exposure therapy

The goal of this study was to determine if virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VRGET) was equally efficacious, more efficacious, or less efficacious, than imaginal exposure therapy in the treatment of fear of flying. Thirty participants (Age=39.8/spl plusmn/9.7) with confirmed DSM-IV diagnosis of specific phobia fear of flying were randomly assigned to one of three groups: VRGET with no physiological feedback (VRGETno), VRGET with physiological feedback (VRGETpm), or systematic desensitization with imaginal exposure therapy (IET). Eight sessions were conducted once a week. During each session, physiology was measured to give an objective measurement of improvement over the course of exposure therapy. In addition, self-report questionnaires, subjective ratings of anxiety (SUDs), and behavioral observations (included here as flying behavior before beginning treatment and at a three-month posttreatment followup) were included. In the analysis of results, the Chi-square test of behavioral observations based on a three-month posttreatment followup revealed a statistically significant difference in flying behavior between the groups [/spl chi//sup 2/(4)=19.41, p<0.001]. Only one participant (10%) who received IET, eight of the ten participants (80%) who received VRGETno, and ten out of the ten participants (100%) who received VRGETpm reported an ability to fly without medication or alcohol at three-month followup. Although this study included small sample sizes for the three groups, the results showed VRGET was more effective than IET in the treatment of flying. It also suggests that physiological feedback may add to the efficacy of VR treatment.     

Engineering Information Service Infrastructure for Ubiquitous Computing

This paper describes a software framework for the development of a ubiquitous computing environment for distributed engineering information services. Two fundamental issues are addressed: universal accessibility of devices to information services, and collaboration among the parties accessing the information services. The first calls for the development of device-independent information services that have the flexibility to support a wide range of client devices. We introduce a mediation-based framework that enables information clients to calibrate the source information services to the clients’ characteristics. The second requires effective integration of information services, which we address in two ways: (1) we sketch an ontology standard and describe how such a standard can be effectively applied for exchanging project scheduling and resource information; and (2) we illustrate an infrastructure that is particularly suitable for the integration of engineering services. A prototype for the ubiquitous computing environment has been developed that incorporates a variety of project management software as well as different devices ranging from PDAs to Web browsers, desktop computers, and servers.